Apparatus for stacking sheet members, apparatus for measuring dimensions of sheet members, and apparatus for and method of marking sheet members

Abstract

An apparatus for stacking a predetermined number of X-ray films has a sheet member holding device disposed above a stacking position for temporarily holding at least a first X-ray film, and an actuating device for displacing the sheet member holding device from the stacking position to drop the X-ray film held by the sheet member holding device into the stacking position. The apparatus is capable of stacking a plurality of X-ray films highly accurately and efficiently in the stacking position while avoiding damage to the X-ray films.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for stacking a predetermined number of sheet-like photosensitive members successively conveyed by a feed system in a stacking position, comprising: 
       sheet-like photosensitive member holding means disposed above said stacking position for temporarily holding at least a first sheet-like photosensitive member that is conveyed; and  
       actuating means for displacing said holding means from above said stacking position to drop said sheet-like photosensitive member held by said holding means into said stacking position.  
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       variable stopper means for engaging and releasing the sheet-like photosensitive member from said holding means when said holding means is moved away from said stacking position.  
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said variable stopper means comprises: 
       a pulling guide angularly movable by an actuator;  
       said pulling guide having a guide bent toward said sheet-like photosensitive member held by said holding means for engagement with said sheet-like photosensitive member.  
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
       a sheet-like photosensitive member sensor for detecting when said first sheet-like photosensitive member is held by said holding means.  
     
     
       5. An apparatus for stacking a predetermined number of sheet-like photosensitive members successively conveyed by a feed system in a stacking position, comprising: 
       sheet-like photosensitive member holder disposed above said stacking position for holding temporarily at least a first sheet-like photosensitive member that is conveyed;  
       actuator means for displacing said holder from above said stacking position to drop said sheet-like photosensitive member held by said holder into said stacking position,  
       wherein said holder comprises:  
       a plurality of temporary receiver rods substantially stationary with respect to each other, extending in the direction in which said sheet-like photosensitive member is conveyed, each of said temporary receiver rods having a plurality of air ejection holes which are open toward said sheet-like photosensitive member.  
     
     
       6. An apparatus for stacking a predetermined number of sheet-like photosensitive members successively conveyed by a feed system in a stacking position, comprising: 
       sheet-like photosensitive member holding means disposed above said stacking position for holding temporarily at least a first sheet-like photosensitive member that is conveyed;  
       actuator means for displacing said holding means from above said stacking position to drop said sheet-like photosensitive member held by said holding means into said stacking position,  
       wherein said holding means comprises:  
       a plurality of temporary receiver rods extending in the direction in which said sheet-like photosensitive member is conveyed, each of said temporary receiver rods having a plurality of air ejection holes which are open toward said sheet-like photosensitive member,  
       wherein said temporary receiver rods have respective plates with said air ejection holes defined therein, said plates having respective surfaces treated to provide a reduced coefficient of a friction.  
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein each of said plates has round edges on opposite sides and distal ends thereof. 
     
     
       8. A photosensitive sheet member stacking apparatus to stack a predetermined number of photosensitive sheet members in a stacking position, comprising: 
       a photosensitive sheet member holder disposed above said stacking position and configured to hold temporarily at least a first photosensitive sheet member of said predetermined number of photosensitive sheet members, the holder comprising a plurality of receiver rods substantially stationary with respect to each other, the rods extending in the direction in which said first member is conveyed, each of said receiver rods having a plurality of air holes open toward said first member and having surfaces treated to provide a reduced coefficient of friction; and  
       an actuator configured to displace said holder from above said stacking position to drop said first member held by said holder into said stacking position.  
     
     
       9. The stacking apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the rods has round edges on opposite sides and distal ends thereof.